National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6): Key Findings and Implications
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Article summary
The National Family Health Survey-6 (NFHS-6), conducted by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare through the International Institute for Population Sciences (IIPS), has released its findings covering key health, nutrition, and demographic indicators across Indian states. NFHS is India's most comprehensive household survey, tracking indicators such as fertility rates, child and maternal mortality, anaemia prevalence, institutional deliveries, and access to sanitation and nutrition. NFHS-6 follows NFHS-5 (2019-21) and provides updated data critical for evaluating the impact of flagship programmes like Poshan Abhiyaan, Ayushman Bharat, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao. The survey reveals mixed progress: while institutional deliveries and contraceptive use have improved, child stunting, wasting, and anaemia among women and children remain persistent challenges in several states. For UPSC aspirants, NFHS-6 data is pivotal for GS-2 (social justice, governance) and GS-3 (inclusive growth) mains answers, as well as for essay writing on health equity and demographic dividend.
What this tests
Sample questions — answers revealed after test
Q1. The National Family Health Survey (NFHS) is conducted in India by which of the following institutions?
Q2. A policy analyst is evaluating India's progress toward Sustainable Development Goals using NFHS-6 data. She notes that NFHS-6 is the primary sub-national data source for tracking two specific SDGs. Which of the following correctly identifies those two SDGs?
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding the National Family Health Survey (NFHS) and India's demographic and health outcomes: 1. NFHS-5 recorded India's Total Fertility Rate (TFR) at 2.0, which is below the population replacement level of 2.1. 2. The persistent anaemia burden among women and children, despite Iron-Folic Acid supplementation drives, is primarily attributable to inadequate budget allocation under Poshan Abhiyaan. 3. India's NFHS data is co-funded by international bodies including USAID, making it a tool through which India's SDG performance is monitored by global health governance institutions. 4. High-burden states for child stunting and wasting — such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, and Jharkhand — are also states where open defecation, food insecurity, and low maternal education are identified as compounding social determinants. How many of the above statements are correct?